Summit County makes case for federal disaster declaration after Aug. 8 flood

It was unprecedented.

First came the damaging wind gusts, then the thunderstorms and even an isolated tornado in northern Summit County.

Two days later came the flood .

For some weary Summit County residents, summer 2024 will be one they would like to forget.

For Summit County officials, last week's weather woes may mean two separate disaster declarations all within the same week.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has already declared a state of emergency for much of northern Ohio including Summit County in the wake of the Aug. 6 storms and five confirmed tornadoes that left as many as 400,000 FirstEnergy customers in the dark for days.

The bulk of the damage from the storms that snapped hundreds of power poles in half and toppled thousands of trees was in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties, where some FirstEnergy customers are still without power .

Summit County Emergency Management Agency Director Thomas Smoot said there was some storm damage throughout Greater Akron from the severe thunderstorms, but the bulk of the destruction was in northern Summit County, where some roofs were damaged and trees were downed, particularly in some areas of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park .

Merriman Valley flooding immerses Timber Top Apartments in another round of misery

What does it mean when a disaster is declared?

DeWine's disaster declaration for the Aug. 6 tornadoes and storms is just the first step for some potential financial relief and help for impacted property owners.

Smoot said the real relief will come if, and when, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with President Joe Biden's blessing, declares a federal disaster declaration.

This would clear the way for federal dollars and other financial assistance, including one-time payments, special loans for impacted property owners and relief for local governments.

Summit County lobbying for disaster declaration for flood

Smoot said this is why Summit County is now making its case to the state for a second separate disaster declaration for the Aug. 8 flooding.

Anywhere from 2 inches to as many as 7 inches of rain fell in a short timespan across parts of Summit County, including Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and Hudson as a torrential rainstorm inundated the area.

Smoot said they are still gathering information from impacted property owners, but he estimates thousands in the county suffered some damage, including a few homeowners who had their basement walls collapse from the flooding.

The city of Akron says at least 60 basements in its community are in need of extensive repairs and cleaning after sewers backed up from the storm.

The last time a disaster was declared in Summit County was amid the COVID pandemic, and before that was in July 2019 when another extreme flood hit communities.

Summit County extends deadline to report flood damage

The Summit County Emergency Management Agency has extended its deadline for residents and businesses to complete a flood damage survey to Aug. 21.

The information gathered, Smoot said, will help the county make its case for federal aid.

The damage reports only cover structures and infrastructure and not things like yards or even vehicles.

Smoot said any vehicles damaged from the flood are only covered by private individual automobile policies.

To complete a flood survey, you should:

• Download the Summit EMA app , or go to apps.myocv.com/share/a49644308 .
• In the app, click on Damage Report.
• Fill out the form completely to self-report damage.
• No smartphone or tablet? Visit tinyurl.com/Summit-Aug082024 to fill out that same form to self-report damage.

What's next for Summit County?

These so-called 100-year storms and floods seem to be coming more frequently.

"It seems like we are having these storms more often and they are becoming more intense," Smoot said. "We just had two disasters in one week.

"I've never seen a tornado then a flash flood happen in the same week."

As the county tallies the damages and assesses what went right and what still needs some work, Smoot said, this is a good time for residents to look at their own plans and preparedness should another severe storm hit.

This means looking at everything from readiness should the power go out for an extended time to simply deciding where to hunker down in cases of extreme weather.

As the last flood proved with its widespread damage and impact, Smoot said, a disaster can unfold in an instant.

"I'm never surprised by floods," he said. "Anyplace can flood."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County makes case for federal disaster declaration after Aug. 8 flood